Inner sole for sandals

ABSTRACT

A sandal, especially for ladies, which has an inner sole made of bending and walking elastic material and also has an approximately U-shaped frame connected to and covering that peripheral portion of the inner sole which extends from the ball section of the inner sole rearwardly to the heel region of the sandal, said frame being united to the heel.

States 1 [11] 3,785,068 Bretschneidler Jan. 15, 1974 INNER SOLE FOR SANDALS 3,514,878 6/1970 Midgley 36/76 c 3,345,763 10/1967 Rollman [75] Inventor: Walter Bretschne'de" 3,468,040 9 1969 Fukuoka 36/115 Uerzell-Neustadt, Germany [73] Assignee: Continental Gummi-Werke FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Aktiengesellschaft, Hannover, 446,955 3/1968 Switzerland 36/76 C Germany [22] Filed: Jan. 19, 1972 Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson [21] App]. N0.: 218,913 Att0rney-Walter Becker [30] Foreign Application Priority Data ABSTRACT Jan. 21, 1971 Germany 2102715 A sandal, especially for ladies, which has an inner sole [52] US. Cl. 36/115 made of bending and walking elastic material and also [Illh an approximately p frame connected to Field of Search 1.5, 76 R, C, and covering that peripheral portion of the inner Sole 36/14 which extends from the ball section of the inner sole rearwardly to the heel region of the sandal, said frame [56] References and being united to the heel.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,696,057 12/1954 Flautt 36/] 1.5 9 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures INNER SOLE FOR SANDALS The present invention relates to an inner sole, especially foot-shaped inner sole, of bending and stepping elastic material for sandals with a sole and with a heel of pressure resistant material.

When making sandals, the inner soles, especially the inner soles shaped in conformity with the shape of a foot are covered with a skin compatible material, and as the case may be, also the heels are covered with a material improving the appearance. The special machines and skilled operators required for this purpose are not always available in customary shoe factories, so that the latter cannot always take advantage of the improvements inherent to new and better materials which, however, require a cover.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an inner sole which, while not consisting of ordinary or customary material will be suitable for processing in ordinary or customary shoe factories.

It is another object of this invention to provide an inner sole, as set forth in the preceding paragraph, of which those parts of the inner sole which absorb the pressure of the foot will be stepping elastic whereas the rigidity within the area of the foot joint will be obtained by a different construction of the sandal bottom where, as a rule, a form sole is employed which extends along the entire length of the sandal and comprises a heel and takes care of the necessary rigidity.

These objects and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following specification, in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the inner sole according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view partially in section of a sandal comprising an inner sole according to the present invention.

The inner sole according to the present invention is characterized primarily in that that portion of the inner sole which extends from approximately the ball part rearwardly is laterally embraced by a frame of hard material which is U-shaped and is united with the heel and in the joint portion is reinforced by inserts or supports. The height of said frame expediently is the same as the thickness of the respective directly adjacent inner sole zone while the upper surface of the frame preferably forms a continuation ofthat curved surface of the inner sole which faces the foot. The two forwardly directed ends of the frame may gradually become thinner. Embedded within the area of the joint of the inner sole there is preferably a reinforcement of steel, hard synthetic rubber, or the like. If desired, the said reinforcement may be embedded in the bottom side. For purposes of reinforcing the area of the joint, a support in the form of a bridge may be provided which is below the range of the joint and may be connected to both frame portions located in front of the heel front. The bridge may likewise comprise a reinforcing insert of steel, hard synthetic material, or the like, and may form one single piece with the frame and the heel. The gap between the frame and the inner sole on that surface which faces the foot is covered by a thin foil which consists of skin compatible material and is glued or cemented to the inner sole. This foil may extend over the entire surface of the inner sole which faces the foot. The front portion of the inner sole which is not embraced by the frame may be covered by a strip of leather or textile material, preferably a fabric with biased warp and weft threadsv This inner sole does not require a cover to be applied by special machinery, inasmuch as the rear portion alone of the inner sole is embraced by the frame connected to the heel and on the side adjacent to the foot comprises the foil which can be applied in any shoe factory. The frame connected to the heel furthermore reinforces the marginal area of the inner sole which must consist of stepping elastic material and substantially outside of the load supporting zone, especially also within the joint area, receives a reinforcement. That portion of the frame which is located in front of the heel front thus reinforces the joint area, which latter must be resistant for supporting the arch of the foot. In particular, with ladies sandals having a higher camber (Sprengung) or arch, the joint area of the sandal must be particularly strong. This is effected either by the above mentioned reinforcing inserts in the inner sole itself and/or by the bridge connecting the front frame portion. The said bridge extends up to the ball section and, if desired, reinforcing by a reinforcing insert, together with the frame of the inner sole yields all properties necessary for the wear of the sandal. The front portion of the thus designed inner sole is laterally covered only by a strip by cementing or gluing and then can be placed on a last for applying the belts, leather strips, buckles, or the like. That marginal portion of the belt buckle, or the like, which is to be connected to the sandal is fastened to the front elastic portion of the inner sole, and while passing by the frame is simultaneously connected to the bridge of the joint area. Thereafter it is merely necessary to mount the outer sole and the heel patch. The outer sole may, in the form of a semisole, extend up to the bridge in overlapping relationship thereto, or may be continued below the bridge up to the front of the heel. The covering of the gap provided on that surface between the frame and the inner sole, which is located on the side to be engaged by the foot, prevents the disengagement by the entering of soil and sweat. Inasmuch as the foil represents the uppermost layer, which layer is the closest toward the foot sole, this layer is made of moisture absorbing maerial, for instance, synthetic leather, or of synthetic material which is skin compatible. At least the gap, should be covered and therefore, for purposes of simplicity, there is selected a foil which extends from the rear to the ball zone or up to the front. The gluing or cementing of the foil may be completely omitted when, for instance, with sandals, the inner sole consists of a skin compatible material and is applied, for instance, by spraying and is formed directly to the frame and the heel, or vice versa.

Referring now to the drawing, an inner sole 1 of stepping elastic material, for instance, of latex bound cutup cork, porous rubber, or thermoplastic synthetic material, is at that surface thereof which will be adjacent to the foot, designed in conformity with the shape of the foot and has its rear section designed somewhat narrower than the customary inner soles. This rear section, starting approximately at the rim portion at the ball area la is embraced by a frame 2 which forms one piece with the heel 3. The height of the frame 2 corresponds on all areas to the thickness of the inner sole 1 to be inserted so that the upper surface of the frame 2 merges with the foot-shaped surface of the inner sole 1 after the assembly. The front ends of frame 2 end in a camber (Scharfe) or wedge-shaped portion, and the lateral surfaces merge with the lateral surfaces of the inner sole. Those ends of frame 2 which protrude forwardly beyond the heel front are interconnected by a bridge 4 which supports the joint portion of the inner sole 1 from below. The two lateral surfaces of the inner sole 1 and of the frame 2 as well as the bottom surface of the inner sole 1 and of bridge 4 comprise each a recess 5 for receiving the folded-over ends of the strap 6, or the like. Below the thus formed sandal bottom, there is fastened an outer sole 7 and finally a heel patch 8. This fastening may be effected by cementing or gluing. To that surface of the sandal bottom which will face the foot of the wearer, there is fastened by gluing or cementing, a foil 9, which covers the gap 10, and at the margin has an ornamental rim which is formed by a plastic deformation, or by dyeing. Bridge 4 may be reinforced by an insert 4a of steel, hard synthetic material, or the like.

The heel 3 and frame 2 consist of harder material, for instance, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, hard foam, or wood. The lateral surfaces of the front portion of the inner sole 1, starting at the end point of frame 2, is covered by a strip 11 of leather, or by an inclined band of textiles, and this is done by cementing or gluing.

That portion of the inner sole 1 which is embraced by the frame 2 and supported, extends from the rear to the separating line 12, which is in FIG. 1, indicated by a dash line. From this separating line 12 toward the front, only the bending elastic inner sole 1 and the bending elastic outer sole 7 form the sandal bottom when disregarding the foil 9, which is irrelevant with regard to strength.

It is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is, by no means, limited to the particular showing in the drawing, but also comprises any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What 1 claim is:

1. A sandal provided with a ball section and a heel, which includes: an inner sole made of bending and walking elastic material and having a joint section located between said heel and said ball section, and approximately U-shaped frame means connected to and covering that peripheral portion of the inner sole which extends from said ball section rearwardly to the region of said heel, said frame means being united to said heel, the upper surface of said frame means forming a continuation of the respective adjacent upper surface of said inner sole.

2. A sandal according to claim 1, which includes reinforcing means associated with and reinforcing said joint section.

3. A sandal according to claim 1, in which the height of said frame means at least approximately equals the thickness of the respective adjacent inner sole zones.

4. A sandal provided with a ball section and a heel, which includes: an inner sole made of bending and walking elastic material and having a joint section located between said heel and said ball section, and approximately U-shaped frame means connected to and covering that peripheral portion of the inner sole which extends from said ball section rearwardly to the region of said heel, said frame means being united to said heel, the frame means having end portions near said ball section which become gradually thinner in a direction away from said heel.

5. A sandal which includes: an inner sole made of bending and walking elastic material and having a joint section located between said heel and said ball section, and approximately U-shaped frame means connected to and covering that peripheral portion of the inner sole which extends from said ball section rearwardly to the region of said heel, said frame means being united to said heel, reinforcing means associated with and reinforcing said joint section, the reinforcing means including bridge means arranged adjacent to and below said joint section and connected to the two frame portions located near and in front of said heel.

6. A sandal according to claim 5, in which said frame means and said heel and said bridge means are made of a single integral piece.

7. A sandal according to claim 5, which includes reinforcing means associated with said bridge means.

8. A sandal provided with a ball section and a heel, which includes: an inner sole made of bending and walking elastic material and having a joint section located between said heel and said ball section, and approximately U-shaped frame means connected to and covering that peripheral portion ofthe inner sole which extends from said ball section rearwardly to the region ofsaid heel, said frame means being united to said heel, a gap existing between said frame means and said inner sole at the upper side thereof, and including foil of skin compatible material covering up said gap.

9. A sandal according to claim 8, in which said foil extends over the entire upper surface of said inner sole. l =l 

1. A sandal provided with a ball section and a heel, which includes: an inner sole made of bending and walking elastic material and having a joint section located between said heel and said ball section, and approximately U-shaped frame means connected to and covering that peripheral portion of the inner sole which extends from said ball section rearwardly to the region of said heel, said frame means being united to said heel, the upper surface of said frame means forming a continuation of the respective adjacent upper surface of said inner sole.
 2. A sandal according to claim 1, which includes reinforcing means associated with and reinforcing said joint section.
 3. A sandal according to claim 1, in which the height of said frame means at least approximately equals the thickness of the respective adjacent inner sole zones.
 4. A sandal provided with a ball section and a heel, which includes: an inner sole made of bending and walking elastic material and having a joint section located between said heel and said ball section, and approximately U-shaped frame means connected to and covering that peripheral portion of the inner sole which extends from said ball section rearwardly to the region of said heel, said frame means being united to said heel, the frame means having end portions near said ball section which become gradually thinner in a direction away from said heel.
 5. A sandal which includes: an inner sole made of bending and walking elastic material and having a joint section located between said heel and said ball section, and approximately U-shaped frame means connected to and covering that peripheral portion of the inner sole which extends from said ball section rearwardly to the region of said heel, said frame means being united to said heel, reinforcing means associated with and reinforcing said joint section, the reinforcing means including bridge means arranged adjacent to and below said joint section and connected to the two frame portions located near and in front of said heel.
 6. A sandal according to claim 5, in which said frame means and said heel and said bridge means are made of a single integral piece.
 7. A sandal according to claim 5, which includes reinforcing means associated with said bridge means.
 8. A sandal provided with a ball section and a heel, which includes: an inner sole made of bending and walking elastic material and having a joint section located between said heel and said ball section, and approximately U-shaped frame means connected to and covering that peripheral portion of the inner sole which extends from said ball section rearwardly to the region of said heel, said frame means being united to said heel, a gap existing between said frame means and said inner sole at the upper side thereof, and including foil of skin compatible material covering up said gap.
 9. A sandal according to claim 8, in which said foil extends over the entire upper surface of said inner sole. 